Watch: Virat Kohli greets Keshav Maharaj with folded hands as ‘Ram Siya Ram’ plays in the background

An eventful opening day of the second Test between India and South Africa saw 23 wickets fall at Newlands in Cape Town. Having decided to bat, South Africa were bundled out for a paltry 55 runs. India’s Mohammed Siraj ran through the Proteas batting lineup having scalped six wickets in the first innings. Team India, in response, had a solid start to their first innings but were eventually bowled out for 153. Apart from the bowlers’ spectacular show, one particular moment, involving Virat Kohli, has now gone viral on social media. As Keshav Maharaj came down to bat to the tune of ‘Ram Siya Ram,’ Kohli, standing in the slips, was seen greeting the South Africa spinner with folded hands and bow and arrow gestures. Previously, KL Rahul had an inquisitive approach as Maharaj walked out to bat with the DJ playing the song ‘Ram Siya Ram,’ at Boland Park. Rahul, who was leading Team India in that fixture, noticed the tradition and pointed it out to Maharaj as well. The South Africa cricketer confirmed with a ‘yes’. The incident took place in December last year during the third ODI between India and South Africa.

Coming back to the second Test, India had a phenomenal start to the final fixture of the series against the Proteas. Siraj’s career-best figures of 6/15 destroyed South Africa as they posted their lowest post-apartheid score of 55. Despite earning a promising start, the Rohit Sharma-led side lost six wickets in a space of eleven balls in the first innings. India managed to post 153 in the first innings. Six Indian players could not succeed in opening their accounts. Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger picked up three wickets each for the hosts. South Africa ended the first day’s play having scored 62 runs losing three wickets in the second innings. Aiden Markram remained unbeaten on 36 with David Bedingham at the other end on seven.